Can-handling machine.



L. F. DRLLON. cm HANDLING mcums.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 12. 1915.

1,266,666. Patented May 21,1918.

4 SHEEIS-SHEET I L. F. DILLON.

CAN HANDUNG MACHINE.

M LWAHQN FILD JUNE 12. 1915.

1 ,266,666. Patented May 21,1918.

4 SHEEIS-SHEET 2.

7 p. 5 DILLON. 61m nmmma MACHINE.

APPLIBATYON FILED JUNE I2 I915 1,266,666. Patented May 21,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L. F. DILLON,

CAN HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED was :2. 19:5.

1,266,666. Patented. May 21,1918,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAURENCE F. DILL ON, 0F MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN GOMPAN Y, 0]! NEW YORK.

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

GAN-HANDLIN G MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1918.

Application filed June 12, 1915. Serial No. 38,704.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURENCE F. DILLON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Melrose Park, in the county oftCook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Can-Handling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to can handling machines and has more particular reference to machines adapted for the handling of cans to determine their proper relation and to sort out such cans as are in improper relation or improperly constructed in certain particulars.

In the making of tin cans it is generally the custom to construct the can bodies and head them by automatic machinery, the heads and b'odies being fed in frequently in part at least by hand. In the formation of the vent hole can, that is to say. the can provided with a small opening in its top through which its contents is to be received and which is later closed to seal the can, sometimes the hand feeding of the ends has resulted in the provision of two completely closed ends. ere cans of this character are tested for leaks they are carried through suitable chutes to the testing machine and not infrequently become reversed end for end in the chutes. If they enter the testing machine with a closed end Where an open end should be, no testing of the can results. The testing machine consists of a clam between which the ends of the can are old, the portion of the clamp engaging upon the open end forming a seal therewith and resulting in the forcing of compressed air into the can. The compressed air is forced into the can while the can is under water and any leaking is immediately apparent. If the can be provided with two open ends the result in the testingmachine is the same as though the connections between the ends and the body were imperfect. But if it be pro-- an appreciable quantitiy of water within the can which later inter when considered res with the fillingof the can in chine.

It is a principal object of this invention to insure thatall of the cans entering the testing machine will have open ends resented to the compressed air ortions of the testing clamps. To this en my invention contemplates the ejectment by the handling machine of all cans which are not open at the end which will later be grasped by a compressed air part of the can testing machine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a can handling machine which will permit the passage of cans through it continually and withoutinterruptionto their passage from the end applying machine to the testing machine Certain features of the invention have, however, a wider application, as will be readily apparent as the invention is better understood.

Other objects and "advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description d in connlelction with the accompanyin rawin i ustratin a referred cmbgdiment th ereof. g p

Referring tothe' drawin Figure l is a side elevation of a can handling machine embod -ing my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side eihvation thereof with parts shown in section;

3 is an end view of a pocket-forming mem or taken substantially on the line33 of Fig. 2' r Fig. 4 "is a similar view taken substantially on the "line H of Fig. 2;

. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the arran' ement of the can entering andholding devices;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the yieldable snip.

ig. 8 is a detail ment of a locking dev ce." t

he various parts of my invention shown on the drawing are-mounted in a suitable framework consisting, in the present instance, of a pair of upri hts 11' extending upwardly from a suite le use 12 which uprights and which base may have any preferred construction. These uprights support at their top a cross member 13 which forms the lower end of a can receiving chute. This member is in the form of a yoke 14' an accurate measuring inashowing the ima e ill through which at suitahlle points extend shafts or carrying rods to the end of which are secured can guides '16. These guides are remlercd adjustable throu h movement of their carrying rods 15 in tie yoke, set screws 17 being provided to hold them in adjusted relation. Other and similar yokes 18 may be provided if desired. The cans are delivered thrmigh the chute continuoiri y.

1. .mr tr-ave the chute they are received 5 .-..;.t-l 0['llllllg device in which they repose. This device 15 mounted upon a. shaft 21 taking through suitable bearings .22 in the standards or uprights 11 and having at an end idle and driving pulleys 23 and 24. vletween the uprights a relatively thick collar '25 is keyed upon this shaft to turn there with. This collar has at on.- side an out hardly extending flange :3 ngaiirl which .uuof th poelo-llonuiug i lllifilli' h .3? i.- or. rurcd as by hulls or other suitahlo means .IH.

second elcrttwi ning element 39 it. i -owl rigidly \"ilh 2: hurl; pinto Til i. aim provided upon the :olltil Tliivi pocket i; sm g .irtment 1H mmable longitudinali ihe collar upon a Feather 32 and may be mnped in position through a locking ring .35. The two poclieoforining elements or m mbers provide a plurality of pockets adapted to be po -i1 ioned at the bottom of the chute in rontinuous surceesion. The pockets indicated at 41 are defined by partitions 42 each of which hm: its rearward edge nu away on a enrve 13. it being: the in l nlhuillud fhe(",. ld T td hY hr fllfllfi shall :24.. engage I and .willa" l l\Tll iiilri lifi' l!! llu (w n-i11- inn f ilw ma hine. Th partitions are. so fii'l zllgl' l that ran.- in roma l may he reroiw-al from 1hr rhnir. the poiuh; ll of the partillr! -1-:li'o i|. hem an that filo :nirr -IJ\ in ordertha th U-'*rr-- non of the tame may be appropriately s arted and thereafter not interfered with unless interruption to the snrce eion occur, l pmvidr :1 101 lever or arm 4.) which is p'ojev-fed into the path of travel of the cans hut hrl v. w them when in rontart, being removed before the lowering body reaches the rave] i the arm. This arm mounted on a shaft having h arings in arms 47 from the frame and ourving at the end remote. from the driving pulley a block 48. in this him}. is an [-.\.'(.illl'l\2\ll mounted pin 49 whit-h n ts upon a to th d wheel 51 car- -ied upon the end of'ti \haft "31. the teeth n lhiaivhr corr wioml'ing with the. number porhr n in the oclirt earl-ring member awn-I F. 'llu-sr teeth are arranged so lira: Lh- :zllil may extend inwardly in the ew. \hown in Fig. 1 wlu'n therein: are loraird with their rontacting surfaces; at or .HliP IiI this poinl. further movement of the. dial": lifting ii on? oi the way so that the next can thereabove will not be interrupted in its movement. This arrangement may be better appreciated perhaps through observing the -elat ion of the two cans 52 and 53 in Fig. 1. A. spring 54; provided for holding the pin 49 against the toothed wheel 51.

After each can is received in its pocket a combined entering and holding device engages it if it be arranged with its open end toward the right, viewing Fig. .2. One of these devices is provided for each pocket and a description of one of them will suflice for the others. The device in the present instance consists or a radially disposed arm 61. through die outer end of Wl'llCll pro vided a bar (32 having at its ends pins 63 adapted to enter the holes in threnda of the cans, two such pine being provided on each bar in order that the ham may he rriersed in osition Jamil; our pin he hroizun. The arm I)! is r lll''il at its; inner end Io a shaft iil which \i 'llli'hrough the rollar 1. This shaft ha' Marni-inch! at it. i'li wljui. the ma! ill Mill the tipxituu; 3- ihmngl which it ..l wl i: l i HF u ll'i o vis l than! at the other. Poenioi'ied in who .tpeiturr and between the entering end of the enlarged portion and the adjacent end of the enlargement of the shaft 64 is a spring 66 normally pushing the arm 61 toward the left. viewing Fig. Movement in this direction is limited by a collar 7 upon the 'enil of the shaft 0-1 which is h ld between a shoulder 68 and a nut 69. The normal position of the arm is that shown in the lower part of Fig. 9 which is its position on the return part of the travel of the pot-lietdorming member. The pin oi. in Forced into the end of the can as shown in Fig, fit the rent aperture 71 he preeentia! thereto and this pressure is; exert-- ed n means of a. yielding stop 72, the de of width nut he UiilSeiVEbl from Fig. 7. figure it Will he noted that the stop 72 has an enlarged head 73 and a. stem 74 taking through a chambered hearing 75 in the left hand upright 1.1, viewing Fig. 2. A. spring 76 is provided in this chamber and bears against its closed end 7'? and against a head 78 on the stem 74. Movement of the stem under influence of the spring. is restrained by nuts 79 screwed thereon. After a can has rolled into its )OCkBt slight further IIIOVQIHBUL of the poclmt-fonning members brings the arm 61 of this combined entering and holding device under the head 73 of the stop. This presses the arm 61 to ward the can and if an aperture 71 is presented to the pin 63 the pin enters and the can is held in place. If, however, nh aperture is present the strength of the spring 76 is overemne by resrnre exerted upon the can body and by t .e pressure of the spring 66 about the rod 64: of the arm 61.

AH each pin enters a. can the holding device locked in place. This is accomplished ill ' they unrestrained. In the behind its collar stood from the by locking dogs 81 mounted upon pivot ins 82 adjacent the collars 67 already descri ed. A spring 83 presses these dogs about their pivots so that they enter behind the collars and prevent retraction under the force of the spring 66 when the holding device has assed beyond the influence of the head 3. This head is given the elon ated form shown in order that the locking evices may have time to enter as described, and rotation of it is prevented-by a pin and slot connection 80.

Once having been locked in place by the locking device the cans in which the pins 63 have entered are carried through an angular movement of the conveyor past the point at which they would roll out were resent instance this movement is substantia 1 180 so that the pockets are inverted whi e holding the cans. Release of the locking devices 18 accomplished by a pin 91 having a hexa onal headv92 and Secured in the right han upright 11, viewing Fig. 2. This pin engages the rear end of the dog and hits it from 67 so that the spring 66 may move the combined enterin and hold These ing device to inoperative position.

in this movement by arms (lGVlCGS, are guided 93 extendin up from a plate 94 against which the device rests when in operative position. Should the cams fail to be properly deposited in .the prevented by a guide 101 forward part of the chute. This pivoted at 102 and is held inwar spring 103 so thatthe cans are caused to roll down into the pockets unless resistance is presented, in which event the can will move machine. The cansflthat are not 9 by the pins drop from their pockets, dicated in Fig. 5, before arriving at the normal discharge position. When unlocked tlfe cans which are proper] arranged fall in a chute 111 down which tliey may travel to the can testin machine. file head 113 upon standards behind the pocket forming members 27 and 31 to cause ositive ejectment of any cans that stick. is bar may be adjusted as desired through suitable screws 115. I

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be underforegoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the for the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim 1. A can handling machine comprising, in

allel mg means A bar 112 carried 1 therein,

combination, members forming horizontal open-sided and invertible pockets, can holding members adapted to enter the open ends of cans resting in said pockets with their open ends disposed toward one side of said machine, and a, member for receiving cans held by said holding means.

2. A can handling machine comprising, in combination, invertible can pocket forming members, a yielding member adapted to engage a can resting in said pocket with the openend disposed in predetermined osition, locking means operated through the entrance of said member into the open end of the can and means for releasing said looking member at a predetermined travel of said can pocket forming members.

3. A can handling mac in combination, a rotatable member provided with pockets for receiving the cans, a can holding member ositioned adjacent each pocket and rotatab e therewith, yielding means for moving said member against a can end and into the end if the end be open, and means for locking such members as they enter the cans in position through a predetermined travel of said rotatable member.

4. A can handling machine comprisin in combination, a rotatable pocket provii ing member, a can selecting member adapted to enter the open end of a can in a pocket, and locking means operated by said memr for preventing release through determined travel of the can in the open end of which said member has entered.

5. A can handling machine in combination, an holding member movable in a direction with the: axis of the pocket toward said pocket and into the open end of a can resting in proper position therein, and yieldfor moving said member.

6. A can handling machine comprising an invertible pocket, a can holdin member movable toward said open end of a can properly arranged therein, a yielding member for pushing holding or against a closed end, ing said holding member in holding in the open end of the can properly arranged in said pocket while said the influence of said yielding means.

handling machine comprising an position a yielding member or oldlng member into the open or against a closed end, means for locking said member in holding position in the open end of the can properly arrang point in the member is under releasing said locking means at a predetermined point in. the travel of said pouket.

8. A can handling machine oomprising, in combination, invertible can pocket" I vid- 'mg I-HQWRQIB, holding devices 'adapt to on; ter the open ends'o cans presented toward a side of the machine, said devices being movable with said pockets, relatively stationary means for moving said devices into cans; having open ends disposed thereto, locking members for holding said devices in operative position and niovable with said pockets, and relatively stationary means for releasing said locking de\ iron at a predetermined point, in the travel of mid pocket pro viding members.

ll. A can handling IHzH'llilit comprising. in (-onibination, lnvuriibh: pix-hot pri'ividing ll'lfllibolfi. a ran entering and holding device positinnwl adir-roni va -lgnirlr t an n able with said pwliri. forming rnrnaliem. said device being rarinvl on a r ring hrld stein normally KPlnliilfl54j t-n l dovirr in inoperaiive position. mean for pushing said device against the a iion of the epring in said stem into the 0mm end of a can properly arranged in said poeiiet, and means for retaining said device in position through a predetermined travel of said pocket.

it) A can handling machine comprising, in combination, invertible pocket providing members. a ran entering and holding device poeitioned adjacent each pocket and movablwith said pocket forming members, said device being carried on a spring held stem normally retaining said. dev'nc in inopera tive position. epring preev aed means or pushing Raid devire again i' the notion of the H )ring in said ntem into th open rtrl of a ran properly arran n-d in said porln'z. and means for retaining Reid. dm'i 'r in r ition through a predetermined travel oi eaid pocket.

11. A can handling marhine. ronn rising,

in combination invertible pocket providing members, a can entering and holding device positioned adjarent each poeln-i and 1UOY- able with said pocket forming members. :niid device being carried on a spring held el m normally retaining said device in inoperin tive position, a spring pressed member for pushing said device against the presnn'e 5? the spring in said stern through a pTPdBH'T- mined portion in the travel of said peel-1M- forming members, and means for retaining said device in position through a predeter mined travel of said pocket.

12. A can handling machine comprising, in rombination, pocket forming members providing curved partitione between said} pockets down which the can roll into sue cessive pockets, and means for delivering cane thereto, rombined with axial rm holfl ing rods ill? the ends of said pockets.

1%. The rombination of a WU) litlllcl. tary on a horizontal axis and having peripherally arl nged ran pockets, a ran chute leading to the 'upper side of said carrier in which ehute the runs tlttS'K'llil by gravity one resting on another. a can stop arranged in opposition to ih -i Adm of the iiurlivls along \vhirh Lhn car: into the oi-hole no as to vontrol tlu Int -.i= -w:\\i\i-l when they enter the poriwl.-. H mean; I'm: moving; said stop ayjnimf He ran bring-g wanted and. tliorealtrr out oi" ilu' path oi 2hr Flll't'tdlllllfi vans in the rhntr.

lli ran handling Hnhlllin man la-Bing. in rmnliinnlion. a invni wr pr i diini; n:-

omivv ran rev lving UlWli--l1h-i mt-ken. imam l-n lurking l ran n nil pinhol and a movable guide i-xlrndinn ur ll liiilp wh m hov anin :i wnion in! permitting th morphine] and lllh l l'tl "fills.

lb. i can handling itlzllflllht' voniprnii' in llllllllliltl' li. a lUlllliillUlh fillt'tlfirlfll' i. ;m -l-:et,-;, eaid member rnmpriaing a plnralit of pocket. forn'iing parts :uljustablu as to length. means for holding said partein fixed adjnntnwnt. and a rim delivering device for de imiting i'tl lh in said porlrets. said dmirr bring adjuetabh" nrmrding to the length of the cans.

16. in :i can sorting mechanism for mm testing machines. the ronibinzition m :1 mm able invertible (an receiving nor-hot from whiz-h wins may be dia hargrd at difi'ort-nt point a nn' u l an lo ting pin adapted 1o uni-er and hell llltW" a proprrly pon' villi-"Hi l m d ri t-mud ran. and means for Kniittiiiflgfl n l pin in i wtions tranevvree M thr plan of nwrrnwni 'il ai-l porlwt to reta n and release vans.

l7. ln a can ortiug merhnnism for ran renting marhinee. in (-omhiimtion; a revolul le eerie: of open-aided can pockets adapted to roreive vane ly ng on their side); can mn ipnrtinn means for said pockotn each adapted to enter an opening in the end of a ran and support the same when its pocket is inverted: devices for holding said (an sup porting; mean in such supporting position; and meanR For relmising said ran supporting means when the pocket is: in undetermined position for the discharge of a can therefrom.

Signed in the preeence witnesses.

LAURENCE r. DILLOE: Witnesses THOMAS J. OEsnnn, ESTHER ARRAMS.

of two subscribing 

